Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals
What to Show in My Booth
I am comparatively new to doing art fairs and have a couple of questions that I thought the pros out there may be able to answer. I have been concentrating on painting musical works. Two things concern me however. Because all the works in my booth are musical pieces I am only appealing to people with an interest in music and collectors are only likely to want one. I feel this is cutting me out of repeat buys from people who like my work. I had read that creating a niche market was a good idea however I'm not so sure.
I am also a print maker and some of the shows here in Ontario allow you to show two types of media in your booth. Do you think this is a good idea if they are on separate walls or does it just confuse people. I would value any suggestions you can give me.
I find this is the best forum I have come across where the members actually share good info and are so open and helpful.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by BenJamin Stielow on -
My 2 cents....
I make trees, aspen trees from cut metal. I love my trees and I love tweeking the color of the metal or shaping it just so it catches the light and fills the void behind the trees with fun shadows, all of aspen trees. I just got back from Indio, CA at the Southwest Art Festival and I sold aspens there. I love my metal aspens
The point I'm getting at is that if the musical works sing to you (pun intended) in other words if that is where you heart is, then that is what you should do. I have tried to do other subjects and offer lower price point items and all they did was take away from my other works. One of the best things I did was to focus on what I love. My sales have shown a great improvment when I took that leap.
I hope others will agree, but you need to make what you like, not what you think people will like.
This comes from Todd Winters who told me this at my first show that I had ever done..... I owe him for his advice has carried me far....
just my 2cents!
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Permalink Reply by Susanne on -
Thanks for your "2 cents" Ben. What you are saying is what I had thought and that is why I had been focusing on the one theme but it's good to get confirmation from someone else with more experience.
BenJamin Stielow said:My 2 cents....
I make trees, aspen trees from cut metal. I love my trees and I love tweeking the color of the metal or shaping it just so it catches the light and fills the void behind the trees with fun shadows, all of aspen trees. I just got back from Indio, CA at the Southwest Art Festival and I sold aspens there. I love my metal aspens
The point I'm getting at is that if the musical works sing to you (pun intended) in other words if that is where you heart is, then that is what you should do. I have tried to do other subjects and offer lower price point items and all they did was take away from my other works. One of the best things I did was to focus on what I love. My sales have shown a great improvment when I took that leap.
I hope others will agree, but you need to make what you like, not what you think people will like.
This comes from Todd Winters who told me this at my first show that I had ever done..... I owe him for his advice has carried me far....
just my 2cents!
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Permalink Reply by Geoff Coe on -
Hi Susanne,
In a friendly way ;-), I'm going to take issue with your assumption that buyers "are only likely to want one" of your themed works. I am a nature photographer specializing in birds and sell to a niche market, too. I typically sell over two pieces per customer, and as I write this I've just taken an order from a previous customer for five more pieces that they'll pick up at Coconut Point this weekend.
I can address your issue from a buyer's perspective, too: Before I was in the art/photography business I had a side career as a songwriter and arranger...and I've always been drawn to purchasing work with musical themes at art shows . As I look around my home, I see an oil painting, two serigraphs, two metal sculptures, and three photographs with musical themes.
So, I'd go after that niche market as hard as you can, if that's the work that lights you up. That means making sure your tent fairly SINGS "Music!" at passers-by. It means asking each and every customer who purchases from you if they'd like that other piece they were admiring. It means keeping a mailing list and letting them know when you have new works, when you'll be doing a show in their area, etc., etc. There are tons of marketing tips like this on Art Fair Insiders, and good for you for recognizing its value.
Good luck to you...and if you do any shows in Florida let me know where they are. I just may want to become a customer!
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Permalink Reply by Susanne on
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Thanks for your reply Geoff. I really appreciated your feedback. It does confirm my original belief in working within a niche but I was beginning to doubt it and wanted an opinion from other artists. We have moved so many times due to my husbands work and I keep having to adapt to a new country or area and find out what works. I only started doing festivals last year and that was in the Atlanta area, where we were for two years, but now we are in Toronto and I am finding out what works here and trying to improve on what and how I do it. Thanks for your help.
Geoff Coe said:Hi Susanne,
In a friendly way ;-), I'm going to take issue with your assumption that buyers "are only likely to want one" of your themed works. I am a nature photographer specializing in birds and sell to a niche market, too. I typically sell over two pieces per customer, and as I write this I've just taken an order from a previous customer for five more pieces that they'll pick up at Coconut Point this weekend.
I can address your issue from a buyer's perspective, too: Before I was in the art/photography business I had a side career as a songwriter and arranger...and I've always been drawn to purchasing work with musical themes at art shows . As I look around my home, I see an oil painting, two serigraphs, two metal sculptures, and three photographs with musical themes.
So, I'd go after that niche market as hard as you can, if that's the work that lights you up. That means making sure your tent fairly SINGS "Music!" at passers-by. It means asking each and every customer who purchases from you if they'd like that other piece they were admiring. It means keeping a mailing list and letting them know when you have new works, when you'll be doing a show in their area, etc., etc. There are tons of marketing tips like this on Art Fair Insiders, and good for you for recognizing its value.
Good luck to you...and if you do any shows in Florida let me know where they are. I just may want to become a customer!
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Permalink Reply by Connie Mettler on -
Hi Susanne,
Welcome to our group here. We're glad to have you.
I second all the info above, in addition, having a theme and working within a niche sets you apart from the other artists and helps with the jurying. The more you specialize the more your work becomes your own. To participate in the good-selling shows there is a lot of competition and the more you can set yourself apart the more it is to your advantage for the jurying.
Additionally, I don't have a problem with having two different groups of work in your booth. I'm not sure if it will help sales but it will be good for your own creativity. One of the problems with juried art fairs is that artists have to squeeze themselves into a category, which works fine for some people, but others can get stifled by it.
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